it is likely to

USAGE SUMMARY

"it is likely to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express a high degree of probability. For example: "It is likely to be a sunny day tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is likely to stop its purchase quite soon.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is likely to introduce similar caveats as its rivals.

The Guardian - Money

It is likely to stop.

The Economist

It is likely to pass.

The Economist

It is likely to happen.

The Economist

It is likely to be West.

The New York Times

And it is likely to grow worse.

The New York Times - Science

It is likely to be messy.

The Economist

It is likely to be the taxpayer.

The Economist

It is likely to keep going up.

The New York Times - Sports

It is likely to be sobering.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is likely to", ensure that the subject and verb following 'to' are logically connected and make sense in the context of your sentence. For example, "It is likely to rain" is more logical than "It is likely to the table."

Common error

Avoid using redundant adverbs with "it is likely to". Phrases like "it is very likely to probably happen" are grammatically incorrect and weaken the sentence. Choose either "it is very likely to happen" or "it will probably happen".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is likely to" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express a high degree of probability or expectation regarding a future event or state. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility in various contexts, from weather predictions to business forecasts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is likely to" is a versatile phrase used to express a strong probability or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts. Its frequency is particularly high in news and media, indicating its common use in reporting expected events. While generally neutral in tone, remember to adjust formality based on your audience. Avoid redundant adverbs and ensure logical connections between the subject and following verb for clarity. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively and confidently incorporate "it is likely to" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is probable that

Replaces 'likely' with 'probable', adding 'that' to create a clause.

it will probably

Moves 'probably' to modify the verb directly.

it is expected to

Focuses on expectation rather than pure likelihood.

it seems likely to

Adds a degree of perception or appearance to the likelihood.

it is anticipated to

Similar to 'expected to', but implies a degree of preparation or planning.

chances are it will

An informal way of expressing a high probability.

it is anticipated that

Expresses anticipation and replaces 'likely' with a more formal equivalent.

the odds are that

Uses a gambling metaphor to express probability.

it is foreseen to

Implies a prediction based on insight or foresight.

one can expect that

Shifts the focus to what someone can reasonably expect.

FAQs

How can I use "it is likely to" in a sentence?

Use "it is likely to" to express a high probability of something occurring. For example, "It is likely to rain tomorrow" or "It is likely to succeed if they continue working hard.

What phrases are similar to "it is likely to"?

Alternatives include "it is probable that", "it is expected to", or "chances are it will", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it's likely to" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it's likely to" is a contraction of "it is likely to" and is perfectly acceptable in informal writing and speech. However, "it is likely to" is more suitable for formal contexts.

What's the difference between "it is likely to" and "it is possible to"?

"It is likely to" suggests a higher degree of probability than "it is possible to". "It is possible to" simply indicates that something could happen, whereas "it is likely to" implies that it probably will happen.